Ranaudo's season could be over

Thu, 08/09/2012 - 12:27pm — Alex Speier

Red Sox prospect Anthony Ranaudo, who last pitched on July 3 before being shut down due to dead arm, may not pitch again for Double-A Portland this year. According to a team source, an MRI on his shoulder came back clean, but his progress of rebuilding arm strength has nonetheless been more deliberate than expected. As such, while the Sox have not made a final decision, the odds are growing that the team will elect not to have him pitch again in Double-A this year, and instead have him continue on a steady progression to pitch again in Florida instructional league (after the end of the season for minor league affiliates) and perhaps in winter ball.

Ranaudo has struggled with injuries this year, as a slight groin injury in spring training prevented him from starting his season until mid-May. Once on the mound in Portland, he struggled with his mechanics for most of his nine starts, resulting in not just a 1-3 record, 6.69 ERA and command struggles (he both walked and struck out 27 batters in 37 2/3 innings), but also the loss of fastball velocity.